Careers in Interior Design

Looking for an entry level job or internship in interior design? Here's an overview of how to approach the search and a list of companies that might have entry level and internship opportunities that will interest you.

Interior design focuses on making indoor spaces of all sorts functional and beautiful. An interior designer often specializes in a specific type of indoor space, such as office spaces, residential homes, or commercial design. They can also specialize in specific rooms (such as kitchen or bath), specific design styles, or in other areas such as environmentally conscious interior design.

Because of the variety of areas an interior designer can specialize in, there isn’t a typical day to day. Here are some activities that can happen in an interior designer’s day:

Sketch a design for a client, by hand or by computer

Meet with clients to discuss design needs

Research building permits needed and other regulations for a project

Specify items needed to make the interior beautiful

Interior designers frequent work in design and architecture firms as well as with home furniture stores. Over a quarter of interior designers are self-employed.

To get started in interior design, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree with courses in interior design and art, as well as training in computer-aided design (CAD). You also need a strong portfolio. In some states, you need a license before you can practice interior design.

Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Interior Design

AptDeco - AptDeco is a New York, NY based startup that allows you “to buy or sell furniture without the scams, hassle, or creepy people going into your apartment.”